ABSTRACT
Moscow's new approach to regional conflict situations was dramatically illustrated by its unprecedented cooperation with Washington in the wake of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Russian policies have been designed to prevent military entanglement, avoid strains in relations with Washington, and enhance Russia's image as responsible superpower intent on resolving regional disputes peacefully. Soviet domestic opinion with respect to policy was divided, and criticism of Moscow's support for United States policy increased as the military situation deteriorated. The Soviets may have hoped at the beginning of the crisis that their traditional relationship with Iraq would enable them to mediate an end to the dispute, and they maintained their contacts with Baghdad. In 1988, Shevardnadze criticized his senior leadership for having failed to "predict the mass American presence in the Persian Gulf." Primakov also appeared more reluctant to modify Soviet positions with respect to Middle East issues than did Foreign Minister Bessmertnykh.
